Merta Jr., Jerry E.

Jerry E. Merta Jr., 88, of Fairfax, died Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Blessed John XXIII Catholic Parish. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, where full military rites will be conducted. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, where there will be a 4 p.m. rosary and a 7 p.m. parish vigil.

Jerry was born Sept. 5, 1922, in Amana, the son of Jerry and Josephine (Dostal) Merta. Jerry served in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean conflict. He married Helen Dostal on Nov. 18, 1947, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Jerry worked for Zobac Construction for 10 years before establishing Merta Concrete Construction Co. in 1963. He owned and operated the family business, now in its second generation, for over 25 years. Jerry retired completely in 1994. He was well known for his attention to detail in his profession.

He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, polka dancing, and spending time with his family at picnics and get-togethers.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Helen; his son, Dennis (Sharlene) Merta, and their, children Brian, Lonnie and Denise; his daughter, Patricia (James) Brush, and their children, Tamara and Jeremy; seven great-grandchildren, Jace, Teagan, Blake, Braylon, Reese, Ella and Tyler; sisters, Darlene Trachta, Dorothy Vavricek, Louella (George) Sundberg and Dolores (Larry) Phillipe; and sister-in-laws, Betty, Peggy, Kate, JoAnn and Judy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Don, Bob, Eldon, Richard, Kenneth and Marvin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Blessed John XXIII Church or Fairfax Fire Department.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at